Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Anatomy of an APPS

[Oliver88]

Where is this located on the engine? Have yet to locate mine.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[Sticks]

Top drivers side corner of the engine. Teardrop shaped plastic housing where the throttle cable goes in (comes from the firewall then under the intake horn). Three bolts securing the assembly to the top of the engine next to the #1 injector. Sensor is under and between the engine and the assembly.

 

[RDHamill]

Has anyone ever found a replacment for the APPS unit? certainly would be nice to not spend $400 if one could just replace the "little black sensor"

 

[Sticks]

There are other types of TPS units out there, just finding out whether or not the ECM/PCM will ply nice with them is another story. It will also involve some rather expensive weatherpak plugs and some fabrication to work with the existing assembly, and if you have the vacuum cruise control, things get real difficult.



Rumor has it that you no longer have to buy the whole assembly. Just the sensor can be bought and calibration instructions are available. I want to say that NAPA has the sensor, but where you would source the instructions is another story.

 

[Nyoest]

Any one have any info on an alternative tps than the stock $400 one? I now find myself facing this replacement

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Any one have any info on an alternative tps than the stock $400 one? I now find myself facing this replacement

None I have heard of - I had several APPS pulls from a dealership for test purposes - like the one I used in this thread. I sent one to a TDR member to try when his failed, I had done the suggested hole drill bit and application of cleaner - but it didn't work for him. Like anything else, there are several possible failure points, and not many that are user serviceable. The other spare APPS units I have MIGHT work fine with the contact cleaner "fix" - on the other hand, maybe none of them will.



Meanwhile, looks like all we can do is pay the nice folks at DC for new replacements...

 

[Nyoest]

"Meanwhile, looks like all we can do is pay the nice folks at DC for new replacements... "



grrrrrrrrr, the sound my teeth are resonating as i'm walkin into DC.



"My bottom hurts" the though going through my head as I'm walking out



thanks for the reply

 

[RDHamill]

I tried the contact cleaner on mine, after drilling a small hole in it.

Killed it. truck would only idel. no responce formthe peddle at all.

new APPS repaired it.

certainly would be nice if we could find just the black switch and not buy the entire unit.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I tried the contact cleaner on mine, after drilling a small hole in it.

Killed it. truck would only idel. no responce formthe peddle at all.

new APPS repaired it.

certainly would be nice if we could find just the black switch and not buy the entire unit.

Thanks for the try - and for reporting back - that makes 2 failed attempts with the contact cleaner so far...

 

[RDHamill]

I'll cut into it a bit later and post some pics, I"m thinking that it's just plain worn out, and the contact cleaner might have effected the swipers.

We really do need to find a source for the switch unit, somebody must make it for dodge / cummins.

 

[jrobinson2]

I cleaned one once and it worked for almost a year after, this was before this thread started, all I did was spray around the pivot point and turn the pivot with a screwdriver and blow it out with compressed air. When it started acting up again the kid I cleaned it for tried cleaning again without success, he remembered I had dropped the APPS on the floor during the original cleaning so he removed it and banged it on the core support a few times and reinstalled, it worked fine after the beating for over 6 months until he recently came up with a replacement.



If you'r short on money maybe just vent some frustration an the thing and see what happens



Jared

 

[Bob Wagner]

TTT seems like a lot of apps being purchaed lately

 

[rivercat]

I wonder would cheap widely availible either/starting fluid work as well as this stuff ? #ad

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

With the mixed success of the cleaner, it seems obvious these APPS fail from several causes - and cleaning with solvent cleaners at least MIGHT fix ONE of those causes - after that, it's just time to buy a replacement. :{



I gues a "sometimes" fix is better than none at all - the basic fact is, these are VERY cheaply and poorly made - especially for what they cost!

 

[KMatheson]

Alex Pepper OBD Monitoring Software

Any details on how to procure that software and the interface cable between the laptop and the OBD connector under the dash?



Thanks in advance,



Ken Matheson

 

[RDHamill]

anyone have any updates for the APPS. Was wondering if the components are more readily available then in the past.

thanks

 

[PRout]

A few weeks ago it was pretty tough to find them available at the dealers here in So Calif. Was told they were on national backorder.

Here is a site that had them in stock when I was looking. .

Cummins Sensors

I ended up getting a used one off ebay for less than half the price. . Ended up being a pretty well known sled puller on this site that had converted his VP'd truck over to a p-pump and didnt need it anymore. I got lucky that time, and made a new friend too.

Im on APPS number 4 now. (ok. . 3-1/2)

 

[Texas Diesel]

I have a used take off purchased a new one by mistake (VP) was dead.



I'll sell it for $150 if someone is in dire need.

 

[RDHamill]

Texas Diesel, you have a PM

thanks

 

[mhenon]

Any chance something like this could used in place of the APPS:

"Smart" sensor targets heavy-duty applications. (American